Cellularization of the Drosophila embryo is a specialized form of cytokinesis that results in the formation of a polarized epithelium. The mechanisms of membrane growth during cytokinesis are largely unknown. It is also unclear whether membrane growth and polarization represent distinct processes that occur simultaneously or whether growth of the membrane is involved in the emergence of polarity. Using a combination of surface labeling and particles tracking techniques, we monitored the dynamics of marked membrane regions during cellularization. We find that the major source of membrane is intracellular, rather than in the form of a plasma membrane reservoir. Depolymerization of microtubules inhibits the export of a newly synthesized transmembrane protein from the Golgi apparatus to the plasma membrane and simultaneously blocks membrane growth. Membrane insertion occurs in a defined sequence at specific sites, first apical, then apical–lateral. Diffusion of the membrane appears insufficient to compete with the massive local insertion of new membrane. We thus identify a tightly regulated scheme of polarized membrane insertion during cellularization. We propose that such a mechanism could participate in the progressive emergence of apical–basal polarity.
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21 August 2000
Article|
August 21 2000
Polarized Insertion of New Membrane from a Cytoplasmic Reservoir during Cleavage of the Drosophila Embryo
Thomas Lecuit,
Thomas Lecuit
aHoward Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544
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Eric Wieschaus
Eric Wieschaus
aHoward Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544
Search for other works by this author on:
Thomas Lecuit
aHoward Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544
Eric Wieschaus
aHoward Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544
Abbreviations used in this paper: Arm, Armadillo; DIC, differential interference contrast; Dlg, Discs-large; Dlt, Discs-lost; FC, furrow canal; MDCK, Madin-Darby canine kidney; Neur, Neurotactin; WGA, wheat germ agglutinin.
Received:
June 12 2000
Accepted:
June 26 2000
Online ISSN: 1540-8140
Print ISSN: 0021-9525
© 2000 The Rockefeller University Press
2000
The Rockefeller University Press
J Cell Biol (2000) 150 (4): 849–860.
Article history
Received:
June 12 2000
Accepted:
June 26 2000
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Citation
Thomas Lecuit, Eric Wieschaus; Polarized Insertion of New Membrane from a Cytoplasmic Reservoir during Cleavage of the Drosophila Embryo. J Cell Biol 21 August 2000; 150 (4): 849–860. doi: https://doi.org/10.1083/jcb.150.4.849
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